Young Brazilian featherweight John Lineker’s UFC debut had the potential to be a major flop.

And though the Brazilian flyweight suffered a loss at Saturday’s UFC on FOX 3 event after failing to make weight a day prior, he’s nonetheless going home happy.

A $65,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus has a way of putting things into perspective, he told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com)

Lineker put together a 13-fight win streak over the past couple years to earn a UFC contract. But at UFC on FOX 3, which took place May 5 at IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J., he made his long-awaited U.S. debut.

When Lineker failed to make weight – he weighed 127 pounds, and the doctor wouldn’t allow him to try to shed the final pound due to health concerns – speculation ran wild. Other fighters and managers on scene suggested Lineker came to the U.S. less than prepared and with little support staff.

But Lineker, who entered the week as a nearly three-to-one favorite, said his body simply shut down.

As a fine, Lineker surrendered $1,200 to opponent Louis Gaudinot, who ultimately earned a second-round submission victory in an FX-televised preliminary-card bout. Lineker, though, kept the fight competitive, and some frantic and entertaining exchanges brought an otherwise-miserable crowd to its feet for their fight.

Lineker (19-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC) and Gaudinot (6-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) ultimately earned $65,000 “Fight of the Night” bonuses for their performance. Because Lineker missed weight, many fans felt he wasn’t eligible for a fight-night bonus. But UFC officials sometimes make exceptions – as they did at UFC 108, where Paul Daley picked up a “KO of the Night” award despite missing weight for his fight with Dustin Hazelett.

Lineker, who received a measly $6,000 purse for the fight, had been sent to the hospital as a precaution when he got word of his bonus, which increased his nightly pay by a factor of 10.

“God helped me a lot in this regard,” he said. “I lost my fight. My fight purse wasn’t very big, but I didn’t complain. I was very happy for how the fight played out [despite] not knowing I would win a ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus.

“When I got back to the hotel, I received a phone call and was told by (UFC matchmaker) Sean (Shelby) that I won the bonus. I was so surprised. It was better than winning the lottery. I didn’t expect it. I was in the hospital when they decided the bonuses.”

In fact, Lineker said he still wouldn’t have known he won the bonus were it not for veteran MMA manager Alex Davis, who doesn’t rep the fighter. But seeing Lineker struggle to find his footing during his first U.S. fight, Davis took him under his wing and helped him out.

“Alex Davis helped translate everything so I would understand,” he said. “Alex gave 100 percent of his support. He called all the time to check on me. He took me everywhere I needed to go.”

So now, Lineker returns to Brazil with some money in his pockets, a performance that won over UFC officials, and a pretty solid guarantee that he’ll get a second shot at a first UFC win.

For a fighter who couldn’t have been much lower after Friday’s weigh-ins and Saturday’s loss, it’s been a remarkable turnaround.

“I was told I could be fighting again in four months,” he said. “It wasn’t for sure (if I’d get a second UFC fight), but considering that they were happy with my performance, I’m sure that will happen. I’m in good shape, so I’m not stressing.

“I apologize for not winning, but as everyone saw, I gave my all. I engaged in full combat with no fear. … I want thank the people who helped me, who root for me, who like my work. I’m very happy and wish to return as soon as possible to give yet another show for the audience.”

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